Page 11 of Finding His Way (The Protetors #5)

P ain had spots before her eyes but Dianna refused to go down. Using the wall to support her, she worked her way through the guns at her feet she’d collected from the dead soldiers. Right now was not time to feel sorry for their loss of life. In her mind, they had picked the wrong side and it was survival of the fittest.

Personally, I need that to be the four of us.

A man without a gun rushed her and bent to grab one of the empties. Tossing it up, she gripped it in her left hand and smashed the stock into the man’s mostly covered face, dropping him like a large ass rock.

Doing a quick survey, she shivered and watched her cold puffs of air escape as she blinked away tears. No one other than her remained alive in the cabin which had no back wall and a ripped off front door, no window.

Dianna shuffled toward the fading fire, stopping near a man who wore a thick parka. It took a few more seconds and lots more tears but she took it off him and slid it over her own clothing. Instant warmth surrounded her and she moaned.

Her wrist didn’t look good at all and she dug around the pile of kindling to find two flat slats and after digging through a few more bodies, she pulled out some zip ties. Tugging on a glove she ignored the tears that fell while accomplishing that.

Biting her lip to contain the cries of pain she fastened herself a splint. It wouldn’t help much because she couldn’t use her hand any longer. But hopefully it being inside a glove would save her from losing the fingers to frostbite.

I’m not completely helpless.

Using up the remaining ties, she secured not one but two knives to that arm. More secured to her split than her, she nodded as she tested the additional weight.

I may not be able to pull the trigger with this hand, but I can still cause damage.

Additional magazines in the pockets of the coat she’d taken, she picked up an automatic rifle after tugging a balaclava on over her head. Three rifle straps over her shoulder and she held gun ready to fire in her left, she left the cabin via the missing back wall.

I’ve got men to find.

Dianna was claiming all three of them. Jeremy was hers and they were his family so then they were hers too.

She didn’t have to go that far to find the other battle going on this cold night. The moon, while not full was at least half and when the clouds allowed it to peek through, she located the two snow leopards, taking on multiple adversaries.

Where’s Jeremy?

A growl ricocheted through the air, shaking her teeth. She’d heard that before. However, it was the answering roar that told her where her man was.

Yes, I’m claiming him. He’s mine and I’ll fucking gut anyone who tries to keep him from me. Or me from him.

She wanted him for years and now having him claim her, she wasn’t going to give him a chance to renege on that. Even now, her shoulder ached from his bite. Hell, it was still a bit open but that pain was a different pain than what flowed through her wrist.

And he was still claiming her. She knew male leopards roared to defend their territory. She was his.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath and dug for the determination she was going to need to survive. Finger on the trigger of the AK, she chewed on the inside of her cheek and began walking.

A wolf rushed her only to be taken out by a snow leopard mid lunge in her direction. In her periphery, she watched them roll, teeth and claws slashing. The moon vanished, leaving her in the dark. She continued on, needing to be closer to Jeremy. To be there if he needed her.

The wind whipped up, pushing snow and icy pellets into her face. She’d never been more grateful for the clothing she’d picked off the dead men. Cresting a small hill, she paused, heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to get her breath. The moon snuck out from behind the fast moving clouds and she watched the battle waging below her.

The Amur leopard, her leopard fought a huge ass bear. This was bloody fight. No holds barred. Despite the size difference—and it wasn’t a small one—they were evenly matched.

She glanced up at the sky, tracking the clouds. There was a bit of an open space which would let her utilize the moonlight for a few more moments. At the same time, it also didn’t allow her to hide.

Not that it matters. I’m surrounded by shifters, they can smell me no matter where I’m at.

More animals came over the far crest and rushed down the icy slope to enter the fray. Deep in her gut, she knew they weren’t on her leopard’s side. Two smaller streaks shot by and joined in.

Snow leopards.

She breathed a bit easier knowing he had help. She’d heard stories of his ability fighting. But, honestly, she’d assumed the stories the guys of the SAR group shared were typical guys embellishing their skills.

Never had she been so glad to be wrong.

The bear had a longer reach, was heavier but she wouldn’t say he had a huge advantage.

“Come on you bitch!”

She squealed as she cursed herself for paying more attention to the fight in front of her versus her surroundings. He held her arm with the AK so she couldn’t shoot him.

“Aleks will pay me for getting you.”

Dianna didn’t even hesitate, just thrust with her right arm and the two blades that were attached to her wrist. Because of their height difference, she caught him below his tactical vest, blades tearing through his skin like her Panthers putting a slapshot into an opponent’s goal.

He fell back, his grip on her unwavering. It was going to hurt, her fingers twitched and shots erupted from the barrel firing off into the night.

When he released her, she panted shifting as fast as she could to get the weight of her body off the arm still pushing the knives into his gut. Rolling to her left, she quickly got up on her knees and shoved up, refusing to release her hold on the weapon. Blood dripped down the blades on her right side.

Shaking her head to rid herself of the dots flickering more frequently, she expelled a huge breath and turned back to the battle as the moon began vanishing behind another wave of clouds.

She looked down and frowned as she watched another wolf streak up the hill to her. Not waiting for it to get closer, nor for the clouds to completely cover the moon, she lifted her gun and fired. Dianna didn’t stop until she emptied the magazine, dropping the rifle, she grabbed one of the three around her shoulders and started shooting again.

When it fell another took its place.

“Bring it mother fuckers!”

The moon was gone and she no longer had line of sight. Inching back until her heels hit the man she’d killed, she moved to where she could use him as a partial shield. Pressed to the body on the ground, her eyes began to flutter a bit. She still wasn’t fully healed and exhaustion nipped at her heels.

A growl to her left had her lifting and firing without hesitation. Then she fired to her right and lay flat seconds before something went over her head. Knowing it would hurt but beyond caring at that point, she shoved up with her right arm, raking the blades along his underbelly.

Are you fucking kidding me?

She’d just gotten a gut bath from the being that had tried to rip her throat out so she didn’t feel bad for surviving but she did feel like a hot, disinfecting shower was in order.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up and she lifted the gun once more.

“I’d prefer you not shoot me, baby.”

A sob of relief escaped her as he sank beside her and kissed her.

“Did you kill him?”

“No, the fucking bastard ran off to regroup. We’re getting you out of here. He and I will meet again, that much is certain.” He gathered her close and lifted her in his arms. “I’ve got you, mate.”

“I’m probably about to pass out but I wanted to make sure I said thank you for not dying out here and leaving me to fend for myself.” She pressed a small kiss to his neck before her eyes closed.

She didn’t hear a thing when she woke. Darkness surrounded her and she didn’t move, uncertain of where she was.

The warmth and lack of discomfort ruled out the icebox she’d been in but honestly, that didn’t mean she wasn’t still in danger. Something at the back of her mind brushed, lightly. Tenderly. Comfortingly.

The touch while unknown felt familiar.

Jeremy?

This place smelled like him, had the same earthy musk of his that never failed to turn her into a hussy. Even now, her body responded, growing slick in preparation. She wriggled her toes and on to her fingers where she realized a cast resided.

Damn it, she had broken that wrist.

Good news, I don’t feel pain right now.

Which meant she was drugged. Or she’d been out for far longer than she knew. Last thing she remembered was Jeremy sweeping her up and holding her against his hard chest as he said they were getting out of there.

She shifted only to freeze, she wasn’t alone in the room. Were she home, she would have a Glock beneath her pillow. The fact her wrist was in a cast meant it definitely no longer had knives strapped to it.

“You’re safe, mate.”

He wasn’t behind her, she didn’t have the weight of his body back there nor the heat he brought. The dark was all-encompassing and threw off her senses. Lunging up, she heaved a deep breath. A few breaths to calm her, she looked around the room and locked onto him once her eyes had adjusted to the dark.

He sat in a corner on the same side of the room as the bed she lay on. Jeremy lounged back in the chair, his legs spread as he stared at her, fingers steepled.

Wait a second, she didn’t have that good of vision. What the fuck was going on?

“Why are you over there?”

“Because you need rest.”

Not that much. Without a word, she waved him toward her. Dianna sucked in a deep breath as he unfurled his larger body and strode over the expanse of the floor to stand beside the bed.

Tipping her head, she looked up and up. She didn’t understand how she could make out his features, but she could. And she took advantage. Ran her gaze over him.

His hair set mussed up almost like he’d been raking his fingers through it, tugging on it in perhaps frustration. Chiseled features that she loved to look at were taut and she knew he was holding himself back.

Oh fuck no.

They were way past that point in their relationship.

“Don’t fucking pull away from me, Jeremy. None of this was your fault and you don’t get to take a fucking chunk out of my shoulder then try to keep your distance.”

He snarled in her direction and she hid her smile. From the deepening glower, she didn’t think she succeeded on that mission.

Jeremy gripped her chin and put his mouth to hers. “Listen to me and listen well, mate. I get it, you’re a cop and all around badass. Like I know, you know I’m a scary motherfucker. But more than that, you’re mine. You are my mate. You’re mine to protect, defend and fight your battles.”

She smiled despite his hold on her face. This man was something else.

“What are you laughing at?”

“I get it now.” Another chuckle. “I totally get it.”

Dianna tugged him over her as she scooted back on the bed. He didn’t argue with her, simply lowered his heavier weight on her body.

“You okay?”

She knew he inquired about her ribs and in answer, she skimmed her hands over his torso. “I love that you’re not wearing a shirt. You’re nothing but hard muscles and heat. Makes me want to take a bite out of you.”

He ran his elongated canines over her skin and she whimpered. His chuckle was dark and erotic.

“I’ll let you bite me anytime. Lord knows I’ll be taking bites of you.” He flicked his tongue over her skin. “Over and over again.”

Digging her nails in, she ran her bare foot up the back of his leg. “How are your brothers?”

He growled. “You’re naked in bed with me, why are you asking about dead men?”

“They died?”

“I’ll kill them if you keep talking about them while we’re in bed like this.”

“I’m trying to be helpful here. You act like I’m going to break so I’m occupying my mind to think of other things than you thrusting deep with that massive cock you have. Making me scream and nearly forget how much I love my Panthers.”

His weight lowered more and she bit her lip to keep the moan of pleasure inside. His large callused hand cupped her breast. She moaned and arched into his touch.

Jeremy hummed as he kept them forehead to forehead. “You’re fucking stunning Dianna. And my brothers are fine. But what did you get?”

“Why Selena went with Lando, Emily with Femi, CC with Ziggs, and Jo with Keenan.”

His lips twitched against hers then he squeezed her boob once more before rolling them to where they lay face to face. Without hesitation, he wedged a leg between hers and hiked hers up to rest high over his hip, bringing their cores flush to one another.

“And why is that?” He settled his hand against her hip, encouraging her to rock against his thick muscular thigh.

Pleasure splintered through her as she used his leg to get off, somehow he still held one of her tits in his hand, finger and thumb flicking against her tight nipple.

“You showed me the way to happiness. You see me for who I am and how I am. And for whatever reason, you still want me.”

Reaching between them she gripped his cock and squeezed.

“I’ve found my way because of you, Dianna. I will always want you.”

She pumped and smiled as she kissed him. “Good. Now fuck me so we can discuss what we do next to keep our family safe from that bastard.”